Modular device for multiple reception of a modulated signal

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a reception device comprising a number of reception paths ( 1  to N) and a decoder ( 30 ) with weighted inputs. Each reception path ( 1 to N) receives an input of a data stream, corresponding to a modulated signal and embodied to provide a confidence index (CSIi) and an equalized data stream (Zi) from the received data stream. Said device is characterised in that the reception paths ( 1  to N) comprises a calculation module ( 24 i) embodied to deliver a combined confidence index (CCSIi) and a combined data stream (CZi), from said confidence index (CSIi) and said equalised data stream (CZi) for the preceding path. The decoder ( 30 ) with weighted inputs is embodied to only process the combined confidence index (CCSIi) and the combined data stream (CZi), provided by the calculation module ( 24 N) in the last path (N). The above particularly finds application in the reception of multi-channel signals for hertzian digital television.

The present invention relates to a modular device for multiple reception of a modulated signal.

Devices of this type are used, for example, for receiving signals modulated by orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, commonly known as OFDM or COFDM signals.

Conventionally, digital signals, such as television programmes, are coded, in order to be broadcasted by radio relay channel.

Communication by radio relay channel generates propagation irregularities as a result of reflections and echoes caused by the environment, among other things.

It is thus possible to receive a plurality of data streams, corresponding to the reception of a single source signal, in a plurality of different ways, this phenomenon being commonly known as multiple reception.

Multiple reception may be a space diversity, by separating two receivers, so that the fading of the source signal is relatively decorrelated at these two points, but it may also be a polarisation diversity, a frequency diversity or a temporal diversity, or else a combination of these techniques.

When the various multiply received streams, all representative of a single source signal, are combined, a better-quality data stream may be obtained than if a single stream had been used.

The received streams may be combined by a plurality of methods. For example, the best stream may be retained, or else a threshold may be defined from which a stream may be used.

An effective method of combining multiply received streams consists in producing weighted additions.

A confidence index is thus attributed to each stream, which is processed as a fimction of said index, all of the processed streams then being added, in order to issue a total data stream.

The best combination or “maximum ratio combining”, commonly known as MRC, allows the maximum signal-to-noise ratio to be obtained at the output.

This combination is defined, in particular, in the article “Linear Diversity Combining Techniques” by D. G. Brennan, published in June 1959 by the ME (pp. 1075 to 1102).

The teaching of this article defines a combined datum or optimal ratio datum equal to the weighted data source for each channel.

The results obtained at the end of these combinations are sent to a weighted input decoder, such as a Viterbi decoder, for example, which decodes the total data stream in the conventional manner.

A device implementing a method of this type is also disclosed in the patent FR-B-2 788 048.

In this device, each reception channel issues a confidence index from this channel and data which is more or less amplified, as a function of this index.

All of the data and the confidence indices are used in a single combination step, issuing a total confidence index and a total data stream that are adapted to a weighted input decoder.

It thus appears in this device that the architecture is based on the juxtaposition of processing channels and on the use of a final, multiple input combination stage.

As a result, numerous finctions are duplicated on each channel, and the summation/weighting function has to be incorporated on each channel or be implenented by a single, specially dimensioned circuit, which requires a considerable surface area for the substrate during production, in the form of electronic components.

It appears, therefore, that the existing devices are large, complex and expensive.

The object of the present invention is to respond to theses problems by providing a modulable receiver and optimising the electronic substrate.

The present invention relates to a device for receiving a Hertz signal, said device comprising a plurality of reception channels and a decoder with weighted inputs, each reception channel receiving at the input a data stream corresponding to said tsmitted Hertz signal, and comprising a module for determining a confidence index and an equalisation module which is able to issue a stream of equalised data from the received data stream and from said confidence index, characterised in that the reception channels are sequenced, and in that each reception channel comprises a calculation module which is able to issue a combined confidence index and a stream of combined data from said confidence index and from said stream of equalised data for the current channel and also for the reception channels following the first channel, from the combined confidence index and the stream of combined data for the preceding reception channel, the outputs of the calculation module of the last channel forming a total confidence index and a total stream of combined data, said decoder with weighted inputs being able to process the combined confidence indesand the stream of combined data, issued only from the calculation module of the last channels.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

-   -   each calculation module comprises elementary calculation means,         allowing a combined confidence index CCSI_(i), such that         CCSI_(i)=CCSI_(i−1)+CSI_(i), to be issued from the confidence         index CSIi for the current channel and the combined confidence         index CCSI_(i−1) for the preceding channel;     -   the calculation module for each channel comprises elementary         calculation means, allowing a weighting coefficient al such that         α₁=CCS_(i−1)/CCSI_(i), as well as its complement relative to 1,         to be defined from the combined confidence indices CCSI_(i) and         CCSI_(i−1) for the current and preceding channels;     -   the calculation module for each channel comprises elementary         calculation means, allowing a stream of combined data CZ_(i),         such that CZ_(i)=α_(i)×CZ_(i−1)+(1−α_(i))×Z_(i), to be issued         from the stream of combined data CZ_(i−1) for the preceding         channel, the data stream Z_(i) and the weighting coefficient oi         for the current channel;     -   the calculation module for each channel comprises at the input a         synchronisation module which is able to synchronise the stream         of combined data and the combined confidence index issued by the         preceding reception channel, and the data stream and the         confidence index issued by the current reception channel;     -   each reception channel also comprises means for formatting the         received data stream, comprising at least one of the following         elements: a tuner, an amplifier and a converter;     -   the device is produced, at least in part, using programmed         components and/or dedicated components comprising connections         which are able to implement the finctions of this device;     -   the device comprises at least one microprocessor or         microcontroller.     -   the device is able to receive at the input a multi-carrier         signal.     -   said input signal is an OFDM or COFDM signal; and     -   the device is able to receive television signals.

A better understanding of the invention will be facilitated by the following description, given solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a receiver according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a calculation module used in a device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows schematically the architecture of a device for multiply receiving a television signal.

As shown, the device I comprises a plurality of sequenced reception channels, 1 to N.

Conventionally, each reception channel i is associated with an antenna 5 _(i), allowing a data stream to be received, all of the received streams corresponding to a single television signal.

For example, it is possible to distribute the ants 5 i spatially such that the fading of the source signal is different on each antenna, and such that the received data streams are decorrelated from one another.

Similarly, the antennas 5 _(i) may be able to receive different polaisations, such that each of the streams received for each of the reception channels, 1 to N, corresponds to the same initial signal, but with a different polarity.

Conventionally, each reception channel i comprises at the input means for formatting the received data stream, such as a tuner 10 _(i), an amplifier and optionally a converter 12 _(i.)

Tuners 10 _(i) allow the received signal to be transposed into an intermediate frequency that is more favourable for the processing to be carried out, and amplifiers and Converters 12 _(i) allow the received stream to be amplified and converted into a stream of digital data.

For each channel i, the formatting means issue at the output a digital signal Y_(i), corresponding to the data stream received on the antenna 5 _(i), amplified and digitised.

Each reception channel then comprises a demodulator 14 _(i), comprising a calculation module 20 _(i) which allows a confidence index CSI_(i), which relates to said module, to be issued from the signal Y_(i), corresponding to the received data stream.

The confidence index CSI_(i) is conventionally calculated by determining the signal-to-noise ratio of the received data stream. Each of the demodulators 14 _(i) also comprises an equalisafion module 22 _(i), which allows a stream of equalised data Z_(i) to be issued from the signal Y_(i), corresponding to the arriving data stream, and from the corresponding confidence index CSI_(i).

According to the invention, each reception channel also comprises a calculation module 24 i, allowing a combined confidence index CCSI_(i) and a stream of combined data CZ_(i) to be issued.

Each calculation module 24 _(i) receives at the input the confidence index CSI_(i) for its channel and the stream of equalised data Z_(i) for its channel.

Moreover, each calculation module 24 _(i), except for the module 24 _(i) for the first reception channel, also receives the stream of combined data CZ_(i−1) and the combined confidence index CCSI_(i−1), issued by the calculation module 24 _(i−1) for the preceding channel.

Thus, the module 24 ₂ receives the results issued by the module 24 ₁, and the module 24 _(N) receives the results issued by the module 24 _(N−1).

The calculation module 24 ₁ for the first reception channel receives at the input only the data stream Z₁ and the confidence index CSI₁ for its reception channel. The inputs provided for the results issued by a preceding channel are predetermined and set to zero.

In an iterative construction, the calculation modules 24 _(i) are therefore constructed in a cascade from one channel to the other, so as to use the results obtained in one channel for the calculations for the following channel.

Using the signals that they receive at the input, the calculation modules 24 _(i) each issue the combined confidence index CCSI_(i) and the stream of combined data CZ_(i).

The information issued by the calculation module 24 _(N) for the last reception channel forms a total confidence index and a total stream of combined data corresponding to an optimal ratio combined datum or “maximal ratio combining” (MRC). These two signals alone are sent directly to a decoder, with two weighted inputs, 30 of the device. This decoder 30 may be a Viterbi decoder or an iterative decoder, known as a turbo code decoder, and allows an optimised signal to be issued as a finction of the data streams received by each of the reception channels.

A device of this type is particularly suitable for receiving signals comprising a plurality of frequencies, each carrying a portion of the information and being commonly known as multi-carrier signals.

The various channels each then receive all of the earrers, and the risk, associated with selective attenuation, of information loss is reduced

In particular, in the multiple reception of a multi-carrier signal, such as an OFDM or COFDM signal, each reception channel receives a modulated signal comprising a plurality of carriers grouped together in symbols.

In order to reconstruct the emitted signal, the signals are combined according to carrier, a plurality of signals corresponding to the reception on the various channels or the same carrier in the same symbol are thus combined, such that the last channel issues a total stream of combined data comprising the same number of symbols and, within said symbols, the same number of carriers as the emitted signal.

The elementary finctions of an embodiment of a calculation module 24 _(i) are described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2.

As previously stated, the calculation module 24 _(i) receives at the input the combined confidence index CCSI¹⁻¹ and the stream of combined data CZ_(i−1), both issued by the preceding reception channel i−1. This module also receives the stream of equalised data Z_(i) and the confidence index CSI_(i) that correspond to the current channel i.

First of all, all of theses inputs are introduced into a synchronisation module 32 _(i), which allows them to be synchronised to a single tie reference. Generally, the data issued from the preceding channel is adjusted, so as to synchronise it with the data for the current channel. The preceding combined confidence index CCSI_(i−1) and the current confidence index CSI_(i) are then introduced into a summer 34 _(i), which issues the current combined confidence index CCSI_(i), such that CCSI_(i)=CSI_(i)+CCSI_(i−1).

The combined confidence index CCSI_(i−1) for the preceding channel and the current combined confidence index CCSI_(i) are then introduced into a divider 36 _(i).

The divider 36 _(i) then issues at the output a weighting coefficient α_(i), defined by α_(i)=CCSI_(i−1)/CCSI_(i).

The coefficient α_(i) is then introduced into a subtracter 36 _(i), in order to issue the complement of α_(i) relative to 1, by carrying out the process 1−α_(i).

The stream of combined data CZ_(i−1) and the weighting coefficient ai are then introduced into a multiplier 40 _(i).

The datum Z_(i) and the complement of α_(i) relative to 1 are also introduced into a multiplier 42 _(i).

Finally, the results of the multipliers 40 _(i) and 42 _(i) are introduced into a summer 44 _(i), which issues a current combined datum CZ_(i), such that: CZ_(i)=α_(i)×CZ_(i−1)+(1−α_(i))×Z_(i)

The module 24 _(i) thus issues a combined confidence index CCSI_(i) equal to the sum of confidence indices for each of the channels 1 to i and a stream of combined data, such that: ${CCSI}_{i} = {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{i}{CSI}_{j}}$ and CZ_(i)=α_(i)×CZ_(i−1)+(1−α_(i))×Z_(i), wherein α_(i)=CCSI_(i−1)/CCSI_(i)

The equations thus obtained are generic equations which may be applied to all of the reception channels.

Thus, for the first reception channel, the application of these fonnulae allows the following to be determined: CCSI₁=0+CSI₁=CSI₁ and α₁=0 such that CZ₁=α₁×0=(1−α₁)×Z₁=Z₁

Similarly, the calculation module 24 _(N) for the last transmission channel N issues a combined confidence index CCSI_(N) equal to the sum of the confidence indices for each of the channels 1 to N and a stream of combined data from data and confidence indices for each channel, such that: ${CCSI}_{N} = {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{N}{CSI}_{j}}$ and CZ_(N)=α_(N)×CZ_(N−1)+(1−α_(N))×Z_(N), wherein α_(N)=CCSI_(N−1)/CCSI_(N)

This data forms the total combined confidence index and the total stream of combined data that are introduced into the Viterbi decoder 30, which issues at the output an optimised signal relative to the received data streams. It appears, therefore that the total combined datum for the last channel may be expressed as follows: ${{CZ}_{N} = {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{N}{\frac{{CSI}_{i}}{{CCSI}_{N}}Z_{j}}}},$ and corresponds to an optimal ratio combined datum, as defined by the teaching of the aforementioned article by Brennen.

The output signal may then be used in the conventional manner, for example, this data is demultiplexed and decoded in order to issue various types of data, such as audio data and video data.

Advantageously, the demodulators 14 ₁ to 14 _(N) may be configured using a limited number of demodulators, associated with buffer memories and used in a recursive manner with all of the reception channels.

The demodulators 14 _(i) may be configured using conventional electronic components, FPGA-type programmed components, ASIC-type components dedicated to these functions, or microprocessor components, such as DSPs. Similarly, all of the reception channels may, in their entirety or in part, be produced using programmed components, the connections whereof are configured for implementing these finctions.

Moreover, the means for formatting the received data streams may comprise elements other than those described, and may be arranged differently, depending on the situation.

Furthermore, the elementary finctions forming the described calculation modules may be constructed or produced differently from the described embodiment.

It appears, therefore, that owing to the iterative construction of the reception channels, a device according to the invention allows the number of components used to be reduced and utilises a modulable architecture that may easily be adapted to the number of reception channels.

Moreover, apart from the first and last ones, the various reception channels may be combined in different orders.

Although the invention has been described in the context of the reception of television signals, it also applies to the multiple reception of any signal for transmitting digital information, such as mobile telephony signals or any other digital signals.

Similarly, the transmitted signal may be modulated in vaious formats, such as OFDM, COFDM, QAM and QPSK. 

1. Device for receiving a modulated signal, said device comprising a plurality of reception channels (1 to N) and a decoder (30) with weighted inputs, each reception channel (1 to N) receiving at the input a data stream corresponding to said transmitted modulated signal, and comprising a module (20i) for determining a confidence index (CSIi) and an cqualisation equalization module (22i) which is able to issue a stream of equalised equalized data (Zi) from the received data stream and from said confidence index (CSI₁), eharaeteiised characterized in that the reception channels (1 to N) are sequenced, and in that each reception channel (1 to N) comprises a calculation module (²⁴i) which is able to issue a combined confidence index (CCSI₁) and a stream of combined data (CZ_(i)) from said confidence index (CSI_(i)) and from said stream of equaiised equalized data (Z_(i)) for the current channel (i) and also for the reception channels following the first channel (1), from the combined confidence index (CCSI_(i−1)) and the stream of combined data (CZ_(i−1)) for the preceding reception channel, the outputs of the calculation module (24 _(N)) of the last channel (N) forming a total confidence index and a total stream of combined data, said decoder (30) with weighted inputs being able to process the combined confidence index (CCSI_(i)) and the stream of combined data (CZ_(i)), issued only from the calculation module (24 _(N)) of the last channel (N).
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each calculation module (24 ₁ to 24 _(N)) comprises elementary calculation means (34 _(i)), allowing a combined confidence index CCSI_(i), such that CCSI_(i)=CSI_(i)+CCSI_(i−1), to be issued from the confidence index CSI_(i) for the current channel and the combined confidence index CCSI_(i−1) for the preceding channel.
 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the calculation module (24 _(i)) for each channel comprises elementary calculation means (36 _(i) and 38 _(i)), allowing a weighting coefficient α₁ such that α₁=CCS_(i−1)/CCSI_(i), as well as its complement relative to 1, to be defined from the combined confidence indices CCSI_(i−1) and CCSI_(i) for the current and preceding channels.
 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the calculation module (24 _(i)) for each channel comprises elementary calculation means (40 _(i), 42 _(i) and 44), allowing a stream of combined data CZ_(i), such that CZ_(i)=α_(i)×CZ_(i−1)+(1−α_(i))×Z_(i), to be issued from the stream of combined data CZ_(i−1) for the preceding channel, the data stream Z_(i) and the weighting coefficient α_(i) for the current channel.
 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the calculation module (24 _(i)) for each channel comprises at the input a synchronization module (32 _(i)) which is able to synchronize the stream of combined data (CZ_(i−1)) and the combined confidence index (CCSI_(i−1)) issued by the preceding reception channel, and the data stream (Z_(i)) and the confidence index (CSI_(i)) issued by the current reception channel.
 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each reception channel (1 to N) also comprises means (10 _(i); 12 _(i)) for formatting the received data stream, comprising at least one ofthe following elements: a tuner, an amplifier and a converter.
 7. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is produced, at least in part, using programmed components and/or dedicated components comprising connections which are able to implement the functions of this device.
 8. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.
 9. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is able to receive at the input a multi-carrier signal.
 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said input signal is an OFDM or COFDM signal.
 11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is able to receive television signals. 